Park Police

Protecting your parks

The Park Police are dedicated to protecting the park system and residents of Montgomery County, Maryland. Read our trail safety tips and join our Park Watch Program. In the event of an emergency, call 301-949-3010.

The Maryland-National Capital Park Police was founded in 1953 by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). It has grown into a diverse police department with 116 positions – 94 sworn and 22 civilian personnel. Park Police operate 24-hours per day, seven days per week throughout the park system of Montgomery County. Our jurisdiction covers 496 square miles or over 36,000 acres of land that accommodates over 14 million visitors each year. M-NCPPC property includes 418 parks, 235 miles of trails, 282 playgrounds, swimming pools, campgrounds, golf courses, horse stables, soccer stadiums, and stream valleys.

Our highly-visible patrol unit polices parkland 24 hours a day by car, foot, ATV, or bicycle. Our Special Operations Section Officers are cross-trained in horse-mounted, motorcycle, and marine patrols. The Community Services Section interacts with the community through such programs as Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, the Volunteer Program, etc. The Investigative Services Unit provides undercover, intelligence, and recruitment services.

Come ride-along with us and see what the Maryland-National Capital Park Police are all about.

Our Mission

The Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Division, in concert with the citizens of Montgomery County and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is committed to providing quality police services through the prevention, detection, investigation of crime, and prosecution of criminals while providing a safe and enjoyable recreational environment. In so doing, we are dedicated philosophically and operationally to the concepts of Problem Oriented Policing.

Our Ethics

Organizational ethics exemplify the essence of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police and are the critical attributes most important to individuals, the community and the Division. These ethical values are the foundation upon which we make decisions and each one builds upon the other.

IntegrityIs essential to the foundation of this agency. Officers commit to stay honest in thought and deed in their personal and official life. All of our decisions will be based on this important quality. Without integrity, public faith and public trust are not attainable.

RespectIs what commits us to excellence. We honor the badge and the profession by never allowing our decisions to be affected by personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships. The respect runs deep into the core of human decency and respect of the natural environment protects our resources for current and future generations.

CommunityDrives everything that we strive for. We work with a diverse community as a part of our team. Through open, timely and effective communication, a clear understanding of direction is established.

Our History

The Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Division, is a Division within the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The Commission was created in 1927 to protect open space and control development in the geographical areas of Maryland that is adjacent to the District of Columbia.

In 1954, the Commission recognized the need to provide public safety for the parks under its jurisdiction and therefore created the Park Police Division. It began with three officers who worked six days a week for an annual salary of $3,000. The officers shared one police car until it broke down and the Commission purchased two used cars to replace the initial vehicle.

Two divisions were created to serve two counties, one policing the Prince George’s County park system and the other the Montgomery County park system. Both Divisions are now the second largest police agencies in their respective counties. Today, the Montgomery County Division consists of 94 authorized sworn personnel, 22 civilian employees, and approximately 37 volunteers.